Brasilia – PNN - On the same day that work began on a new Palestinian embassy in Brasilia, Brazilian president Ignacio Lula da Silva said that peace in the Middle East was impossible with the United States as a mediator.
Former US President Jimmy Carter said Brazil had a "crucial" part to play in Middle East peace, and added, "We cannot count on the United States alone to bring peace, since it agrees with almost everything Israel does."
Lula da Silva denounced the American role as "guardian of peace" in the Middle East and repeated his call that the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council be broadened to reflect 21st century realities by including such nations as Brazil, India, and Japan.
"It is important to develop other elements, other countries which could mediate," said da Silva.
Palestinian ambassador to Brazil Ibrahim al-Zaben announced on Monday that he had handed over documents to the Brazilian government authorizing the construction of a Palestinian embassy in the capital of Brasilia.
The land in question was purchased for $14 million and comprises 16 dunums (4 acres) as well as 16 dunums of green space. It lies in the north of the capital, next to other national embassies.
Brazilians and Palestinians have historic ties, with roughly 50,000 Palestinians living in the South American state—most of them refugees from the 1948 Nakba. Nearly a month ago, Brazil became the first high-profile country in years to recognize a state of Palestine on its 1967 borders. It was followed by neighbors Argentina, Uruguay, and Bolivia, and Ecuador is reported to be making similar moves.
PNN - Palestine News Network - Brazil Rejects US Mediation, Clears Land for Palestinian Embassy